What I said before about the Wikileaks being a good thing, in that it keeps government honest, still stands. However, those who deign to release information deemed secret do have a responsibility to ensure that the information released won’t hurt innocent civilians or regular soldiers. If it slams political figures who are being deceitful, great; but the folks who are just trying to do the right thing, or just following the orders of those political figures, get hurt in the back wash, well, there has to be a reckoning.
So, RivirDog, I submit that you were right, the released data was not properly vetted, and damage has been done to persons who are not valid political targets.
Can you please pass the ketchup, this is one gamy bird I gotta eat?
Bake it in a 400 degree oven for 15 minutes, wrapped in bacon, douse it with garlic juice, use a welding clamp on your nose, and wash it down with a good burgundy.
Pitch a tent in the back yard for tonight, since the farts will drive everyone else out of the house.
No charge for the crow-eating advice.
I’m proud to call you a friend, Mad Rocket. I know damn few in the blogging game who are man/woman enough to admit their first take on a subject was wrong.
“but the folks who are just trying to do the right thing, or just following the orders of those political figures[…]there has to be a reckoning”
In this specific case, one can only agree with you; and in general, when these folks are “doing the right thing”, too. I, however, see no reason why those “just following the orders” (Nuremberg Defense, anyone?) should be considered unresponsible? There is no way to justify the Wikileaks for endangering the lives of these Afghans, but it so due to the fact it’s wrong to put anyone’s life to risk, not because they were “obeying orders”. Imagine if there was a terrorists attack in the US and wikileaks (or anyone else, for that matter), while holding data which could allow authorities to capture the terrorist, would refuse to reveal his identity claiming the poor fellow cannot be blamed, as he was merely “following the orders of those political figures” in charge of his terrorist organization.
Well, Rivirdog, I can’t really have the word “scientist” in my name if I’m not willing to admit when I’m wrong.
Aethelstan, I wasn’t trying to excuse atrocities, only identify the people who are directly in harms way (command officers & politicians don’t need to go on patrol and get shot at).